Salvaging apparatus for sunken vessels



May 2, 1944.

5 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1941 5 7 3 m J 5 n 7 a H mm s 1 M N m an i z V W 4 5 8/ 3 8 6 7 5 3 3 W 8 M, 6 6 /o o O H m o r 0 H U a K c w. w 2 0 6 6K 7 v flSW 5 M o o r. r nnnl w mmn 0 r w fi M a a ATTORNE\ a y 2, 1944- w. K. KANNENBERG 2,347,690

SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR SUNKEN VESSELS INVENTOR WILLIAM K.KANNENBERG ATTORNEYS y 2, 1944- w. K. KANNENBERG 2,347,690

SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR SUNKEN VESSELS Filed Nov. 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WILLIAM KKANNENBERG ATTORNEYS y 1944 w. K. KANNENBERG 2,347,690

SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR SUNKEN VESSELS Filed Nov. 27, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR WILLIAM K.KANNEN BERG TTORNEYS 411/4 lllllllll vii/4,1,1

f y 2, .1944- w. K. KANNENBERG 2,347,690

I SALVAGING APPARATUS FOR SUNKEN VESSELS Filed Nov. 2"], 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR WILLIAM K.KANNENB,ERG

ATTORNEYS Patented May 2, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,347,690 sALv'AemG APPARATUS FOR SUNKEN VESSELS 11 Claims.

This invention appertains to means for raising and salvaging sunken vessels, and more particularly to means for quickly locating and bringing sunken submarines to the surface without the necessity of employing divers.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide means for releasing buoys or fioats from a sunken vessel, whereby said buoys can rise to the surface for facilitating the locating of the sunken vessel, and means on the salvaging ships including novel grappling members adapted to be guided by the buoy leader lines to novel cooperating devices on the sunken Vessel, whereby said vessel can be raised by hoisting mechanism on the salvaging ships.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide means operable from inside the sunken vessel for raising the contact shoe above the vessel deck after the buoys have risen to the surface, whereby the contact shoe can be conveniently gripped by the grapple from the rescue or salvaging ships, the contact shoe being mounted for swinging movement on the submarine, whereby the same can extend in a horizontal position, even though the submarine is listing to one side.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for guiding the leader buoy line through the axial center of the contact shoe, so that not only will the line hold the contact shoe in proper position, but whereby the grapple will be efliciently guided over the shoe, so that the grapple will effectively and quickly engage the same.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of means for controlling the rotation of the winch or drum for the leader buoy line during the floating of the buoy to the surface, so that a too rapid ascent of the buoy will be checked. r

A further important object of my invention is to provide means on the rescuing or salvaging ships for winding up the leader buoy line and for maintaining the leader buoy lines taut at all times, irrespective of the rise or fall of the salvaging ships with the waves, so that the grappling members will be guided directly to the contact shoes.

A still further object of my'invention is to provide a novel hoisting mechanism on the salvaging ships, whereby the grapples with the sunken vessel can be gradually and effectively raised without undue strain on the hoisting cables and operating mechanism.

A still further object of myinvention is to provide novel means for coupling the salvaging ships in pairs and for hoisting the grappling members by the operating mechanism on each salvaging ship, the means for coupling the ships together allowing independent movement thereof under influence of a rough sea.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary, side, elevational view of a sunken vessel equipped with my novel buoy mechanism.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view, with parts thereof broken away and in section, illustrating the position of the salvaging ships after the locating of the sunken vessel and the winding up of the leader buoy line for guiding the grappling mechanism down to the contact shoe or cone.

I Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a slightly modified form of my invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows, through a submarine, illustrating one means of attaching a buoy thereto and for releasing the buoy from the interior of the vessel, and one form of means for raising the contact shoe above the vessel deck.

j Figure 5 is a detail, horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the contact shoe in top plan and a: part of the mechanism for raising the contact shoe above the vessel deck.

Figure 6 is a detail, horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating in detail one form of means for permitting the release of the buoy from the inside of the submarine.

Figure '7 is a detail, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the slide bar and guide therefor, which forms a part of the buoy-releasing mechanism- Figure 8 is a detail, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating a part of the latching mechanism for the buoy.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing a modified form of means for mounting the buoy within the submarine and fiushwith the deck thereof. l

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line Ill-l of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating my novel means employed for raising the contact shoe above the deck of the vessel after the release of the buoy.

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the latching and releasing means for the buoy.

Figure l2 is a detail, transverse, sectional view taken on the; line I2 l2 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating a part of the latching mechanism for the riser arch.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary, detail, sectional View taken through a Vessel, illustrating another modified form of associating a buoy therewith.

Figure 14 is a detail, side, elevational view, partly in section, illustrating one of the hoisting drums or winches utilized for raising the sunken vessel.

Figure 15 is an end elevational view of the same. I V

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15, but showing the opposite end of the hoisting drum or winch and illustrating the brake mechanism therefor. I 7

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter S generally indicates the salvaging apparatus, and V a sunken vessel to be raised.

In Figures 1 and 2, the vessel V can be considered as of the surface type, but, obviously, my invention can be applied to submarines, as Will be more clearly understood as the description proceeds.

The vessel V includes a hull 20 of any preferred character and size, and the hull has arranged thereon at appropriate points buoys or floats 2|. As the vessel V is of the surface type, the buoys 2| can be arranged on the deck of the hull and carried in suitable cradles 22. Attached to each buoy is a leader line 23, and the line can be wound around a suitable rotatable drum 24. The drum 24 can be mounted on the deck or inside the vessel, as desired.

In Figures 1 and 2, I have shown the drum arranged within the hull, and the line is led through a guide opening 25 in the hull and through the axial center of a contact or grip cone 26. This cone is provided at its base with pivot ears 21, which arereceived between brackets 28 securely fastened to the deck of the vessel. A pivot pin 29 extends through the pivot ears and the brackets 28, whereby the contact cone can swing from oneside to the other.

If the vessel V sinks through any cause, the buoys 2| will float away from the cradles '22 and rise to the surface, and as the end of the line is securely fastened to the drum, the leader line 23 remains attached to the sunken vessel. As the buoy floats to the surface, the contact cone 26 'will 'be raised to a vertical position, as is clearly shown in Figure 2, the purpose of which will be more fully described. As the buoy reaches the surface, the same will function as a marker for indicating the position of the sunken vessel, and this buoy can be of any desired size or characterbest suited for the purpose intended.

'In Figure 3, the contact cone '26 and the drum 24 are mounted on the top of a vault or chamber 30, which can be used for, housing valuables. This vault 30 can be received within an enclosure 3l built into the vessel, and the top of the vault can be flush with the deck of the vessel. A suitable manhole and. cover .32 can bevprovided for the vault. One or more idle guide pulleys 33 can be arranged between the drum 24 and the contact cone 23.

Referring more particularly to the salvaging apparatus S shown in Figure 2, it will be noted that salvaging ships 34 and 35 can be used in tandem. The ships 34 and 35 can be connected at spaced points by lower connecting beams 36. The beams 36 are secured at their ends by universal couplings 3'! with the ships 34 and 35. As illustrated, each coupling 31 includes a link 38 connected by a cross pivot pin 39 to the adjacent end of the beam, and each link 38 is, in turn,

. connected by a vertically extending pivot pin 40 to a bracket 50 connected with the hull of the ship.

One ship 34 has mounted thereon, at spaced points, tension masts 5|, and these masts 5| have slidably mounted thereon tension weights 52. The upper ends of the weights 52 carry an idle guide pulley wheel 53. The upper end of the mast has mounted thereon a pulley block 54, and the ends of the block carry guide pulley wheels 55 and 56.

Each of the ships 34 and 35 has mounted thereon, at spaced points, towers 51, which form a part of a hoisting apparatus or crane 58. The upper end of each tower 51 has 'swivelly mounted thereon by means of a pivot pin 59 a rotatable head 60. The heads 60, which are in transverse alinement on the ships '34 and 35 are connected by an overhead cross beam Bl. The ends of the cross beam are connected to the heads 60 by means of transversely-extending pivot pin 62. Hence, the ships 34 and 35 are connected together by upper and lower beams, and these beams are free to rock in two directions, whereby to allow the Vessels '34 and "35 to rise and fall with the waves.

The hoisting apparatus 58 includes a large cap plate 63 on which is mounted a center balance pulley 64 and a series of side pulleys 65.

Below the cap plate 63 is a swinging block 66 carrying a series of side sheaves 6B. The hoisting cable has side stretches B9 and 10, which are trained about the side sheaves 68 and over the side pulleys 65, and the ends of the cable then extend over guide pulley wheels H carried by the tops of the towers 51, down to the drums 12. The ends of the cable are then wound about and are secured to the drums 12 which are rotatably mounted in the ships 34 and 35. These drums 12 are preferably power-driven, as will "be later described. It will be noted that the center runs of the cable are trained over the center balance pulley 64 carried by the upper cross beam 6|. This arrangement of the pulleys, the sheaves and the cable gives the desired great lifting power. Pivotally connected to the lower end of the swinging block '66 is a. grapple device 13.

This grapple device 13 includes a hollow cone 14 shaped to conform to the configuration oi the contact cone 26, so that the hollow cone 14 can ride over the contact "cone 25. Mounted upon the hollow cone '14, at: spaced points, are reinforcing ribs 6'! and these ribs 6-! carry-pivoted grappling arms 15. The ribs 61 merge at their upper ends and are connected by a pivot pin or bolt 31' with the swinging block 66. These arms 15 are provided at their lower ends with inwardly directed grappling jaws (6. Expansion springs Tl engage the upper ends of the grappling arms 15 and normally urge the hooked jaws. 1'6 inwardly for engaging the base of the contact cone 28 when the hollow cone I4 slides thereover.

As stated, upon the sinking of the vessel V, the buoys 2I will float to the surface of thewater, and upon the location thereof, the buoys are taken aboard the ship 34, and the leader. lines 23 are uncoupled from the buoys and each line is threaded through an axial guide opening ,18 formed in the apex of the hollow cone I4; Each leader line is then led over a guide pulley wheel I9 carried by the top of a bracket 89 mounted on the cross beam 6 I. Each leader line is now placed over the guide pulley wheel 56 under the guide pulley whee1 53 on thetension weight 52 and over the guide pulley wheel 55. The leader line is now attached to the drum 8| of winch 82. These winches can either be handor powermanipulated. The drums 8I are employed for drawing the leader lines tight and forpulling the contact cones 26 to an upright-position.

While I have merely described the heads 89 as being connected by one beam BI, it is to; be understood that'two or more beams'can be utilized.

When the leader lines 23 aretaut, the grappling devices I3 can be lowered on the leader cables until the cones l4 ride over the contact cones 29 and until the jaws-I6 firmly grip the contact cones. The swingingmovement of the grappling arms is permitted due to their pivotal connection with the reinforcing ribs 61. The drums I2 can now be manipulated for winding up the hoisting cable, which will effectively raise the sunken vessel.

It is to be understood that the vessel V is provided with buoys fore and aft and as many intermediate buoys as may be desired; The salvaging apparatus S is provided at spaced points with the same number of hoisting devices 58 as there are buoys.

Where it is impractical to salvage an entire ship of great size, the ship can be provided with one or more vaults 39, as shown and described in Figure 3, and in this instance only thevaults are raised, as can be readily understood.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of the leader line 23, as the same forms an efiective guide for the grappling apparatus and insures the proper engagement of said apparatus with the cone 26. i

Likewise, emphasis is placed on the importance of the sliding tension weights 52, as these weights maintain the leader lines 23 in a taut condition, irrespective of the rise and fall of the ships 34 and 35 with the waves.

In Figures 4 to 8, inclusive, I have illustrated one preferred form of means for associating a buoy or float 85 with a submarine 88, and, obviously, the submarine can be equipped with as many of the buoys as may be desired. Each buoy 85 can be mounted on the deck of the subma rine, if desired, and where the buoys are mounted on the submarine deck, the same are firmly clamped in position to prevent accidental displacement. Below each buoy 85, the submarine has built therein a watertight compartment 81, and leading from the compartment through the deck of the submarine is a, collar 88. This collar is mounted for turning movement on the submarine, and the upper end thereof, which extends above the deck, is provided at spaced points with outwardly directed wedges 89. Carried by the lower surface of the buoy 85 is a depending ring 99 for surrounding the collar 88, and the lowed edge of the ring 99 is provided at spaced points with wedges 9|. A gasket 92 can be placed around the collar, and this gasket is adapted to be engaged by the lower surface of the ring 99, when the collar is turned in one direction for moving the wedges 89 into contact with the wedges 9|. When the wedges 89 engage the wedges 9|, the buoy will be firmly clamped to the submarine. When the collar is turned in a retrograde direction, the wedges 89 on the collar will ride ofi the wedges 9| of the ring 99 and permit the release of the buoy from the submarine. The buoy and its ring 99 carry radially extending guide flns 83, which are received between pairs of locating lugs 84 fastened to the deck of the submarine. These fins 83 and the lugs 84 hold the buoy 85 in position against turning or twisting incident to the maneuvering of the submarine.

The means for turning the collar can include the following mechanism. Arranged within the compartment 81 is a guide track 93, and this guide track 93 carries a slide block 94. The slide block 94 can be moved back and forth by means of a hand screw 95. This hand screw 95 is rotatably carried by a bearing ear 99 formed on the track, and the screw is threaded into an internally threaded nut 91 formed on the slide block. The hand scew 95 also rotatably extends through one end Wall of the compartment 81, so that the screw can extend into the body of the submarine. A suitable hand wheel 98 can be connected to the screw to permit the manual turning thereof. Obviously, by rotating the screw, the slide block can be fed back and forth in its track 93.

Rockably mounted intermediate its ends in said compartment by a pivot pin 99 is a doublearmed lever I99. One arm of the lever I99 is connected by means of a slot and pin I9I with a forwardly projecting operating bar I92 formed on the slide block 94. The extreme forward end of the bar I92 is pivotally connected, as at I93, to an outwardly extending slotted ear I94 formed on the collar 88. The collar, at a point diametrically opposite the ear I94, has formed thereon a similar ear I95, and this ear is pivotally connected to the lever I99 by means of a link I 96.

Consequently, upon the rocking of the lever I99 by the slide block 94, the collar 88 can be rotated in the desired direction for either releasing the buoy or for latching the buoy.

The buoy 85 has firmly attached thereto a leader buoy line I91, and this line extends into the compartment and is trained about guide pulleys I98, I98 and I99, carried by the floor of the compartment. The line is led from the guide pulley I99 to a rotatable drum or Windlass H9, and the cable is wound thereabout and fastened thereto.

Arranged within the compartment is a riser arch I I I and this arch carriesat its axial center a guide sleeve H2. The lower end of the guide sleeve is flanged and is held in place by a ring 2' which is secured to the riser arch III. The upper face of the flange abuts the lower face of the riser arch. Rocka-bly mounted on the upper end of the guide sleeve II2 by means of a cross pivot pin I I3 is a contact or grip cone I I4. In order to prevent swinging movement of the cone H4, the same is engaged by a, spring-pressed latch dog II5 rockably mounted upon the riser arch III.

Upon the sinking of the submarine and upon the release of the buoy 85 by the occupants of the submarine, the riserarch III is raised so that the contact cone II4can-be disposed exteriorly of the deck of the submarine. Upon the raising of the cone by means which will be later described, the lower end of the dog H5 strikes the collar 88 and is moved away from a keeper notch formed in the balance weight I31, which depends from the cone H4 below the pivot pin H3 and when the latch is actuated this allows free swinging movement of the cone on the pivot pin. The balance weight I31 tends to hold the cone H4 upright. At this point it is to be noted that the leader line I81 extends through the guide sleeve I I2 and axially through the contact cone H4,

The means for raising and lowering the riser arch III and the cone H4 includes rotatable screws H6 and H1. The upper ends of the feed screws H6 and H1 are rotatably mounted in bearing blocks I38 and the lower ends of the feed screws are rotatably mounted in suitable bearing brackets I39, and the ends of the riser arch III have formed thereon feed nuts, which receive the feed screws. The bearing blocks I38 are also employed for holding the collar 88 in position and the brackets I39 also support other parts, as will be later described. The feed screws adjacent their lower ends have keyed or other- Wise fastened thereto oppositely directed beveled gears H8 and H9.

An operating shaft I20 extends into the compartment 81 through one end wall thereof, and this operating shaft is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings, and the inner end thereof has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a beveled gear I2I, which meshes with one side of the beveled gear H8. One end of the shaft I20 extends exteriorly of the compartment and is provided with a handwheel I22, so as to permit the manual turning of the shaft by the occupants of the submarine. Disposed between the feed screws H6 and H1 is a rotatable jack shaft I23, and this jack shaft has keyed to the inner end thereof a beveled gear I24, which meshes with the beveled gear H8, and, hence, the jack shaft is turned simultaneously with the operating shaft. The outer end of the jack shaft I23 has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a beveled gear I25, which meshes with the beveled gear H9, carried by the feed screw H1. The bearings for the shafts I28 and I23 can be formed on or carried by the brackets I39 previously mentioned. Upon the release of the buoy, the hand wheel I22 can be turned, which will rotate the feed screws H6 and H1, and the turning of these screws in the proper direction will raise the riser arch I I I, so that the contact cone will be pushed out of the vessel. The arch .is preferably raised until the same strikes the top of the compartment.

In order to prevent the too rapid rise of the buoy to the surface, I can provide an automatic brake mechanism for the drum or Windlass III). This mechanism includes a ball governor I26. The movable section of the governor operates a pivoted lever I21, and this lever has, in turn, pivotally connected thereto a pull rod I28. The outer end of the pull rod is, in turn, fastened to one end of a brake .band I29, which extends about a brake drum I38 fastened to the rotatable spool of the Windlass. The other end of the brake band canbe fastened to the frame of the Windlass. The shaft I3I of the ball governor I26 is operated from, the Windlass by a .gear and pinion connection I32. Hence, as the speed of the Windlass increasea'the speed of the governor will increase, and as the movable section of the governor controls the brake band I29, the frictional contact of the brake band on the drum will be in direct proportion to the speed of the governor.

In order to insure the disengaging of the buoy from the submarine, the compartment 81 can be flooded by means of a sea pipe I33. The flow of water through the sea pipe I33 can be controlled by a hand valve I34. To permit the escape of air from the compartment as the water rushes in, a vent pipe I35 can be provided. This pipe can also be controlled by a hand valve I36, and this valve is actuated after the opening of the sea pipe I33. When the compartment has been flooded by the opening of the sea pipe and the vent pipe, the next operation is to actuate the latchin mechanism to release the buoy, after which the riser arch is operated to raise the contact cone I I4. The other operations are carried out by the crews of the salvaging ships.

The same type of salvaging apparatus S as shown in Figure 2 can be utilized for lifting the submarine, and hence, the buoys are taken on the salvaging ships in the same manner as heretofore described, and the grapples 13 are lowered on the guide leader lines I01.

In Figures 9 to 12, inclusive, I have shown a float or buoy I49, which can be arranged flush with the deck of a submarine MI. The deck of the submarine is provided with an opening I42 into which the buoy or float extends, and the upper edge of the buoy can be provided with an outstanding marginal flange I43. This flange can extend over the deck of the submarine and can fit tightly on a sealing gasket I44. Holding blocks I43 are secured to the deck and engage the edge of the flange I43 at spaced points to prevent accidental shifting of the buoy. A watertight compartment I45 is arranged within the submarine for receiving the buoy I48, and the buoy is releasably connected to the submarine by a latch mechanism I46, which will now be described.

Fastened to the sides of the buoy at spaced points are keeper brackets I41. Latch bars I48 are slidably connected to the submarine on each side of the opening I42 by means of guide pins I49. Latch arms I58 are formed on the latch bars, and these arms can be of a wedge shape, if so desired. Upon the sliding of the latch bars, the arms I53 can be moved into and out of the latching engagement with the keepers I41.

The latch bars I48 at one end are connected by a cross bar I5I, and this cross bar has connected therewith a feed nut I52, which receives a feed screw I53. This feed screw I53 is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing I54 and extends through one wall of the compartment I45 into the body of the submarine. A hand wheel I55 can be connected to the feed screw, and, obviously, upon the turning of the feed screw by the hand wheel, the latch bars can be moved back and forth for releasing the float from the submarine, or for latching the float onto the submarine.

If desired, laterally extending guide fins I58 can be carriedby the side walls of the opening I42 for engaging the sides of the float or buoy to facilitate the movement of the float or buoy from the submarine.

Inside the compartment I45 is a contact cone I51 and a riser arch I58. The base of the cone is provided with a shank I59, and this shank is pivotally connected by means of a cross pivot pin I60 to pivot ears -I6l formed on the central part of the riser arch I 58. The lower end of the shank I59 has formed thereon a balance weight I59. In order to prevent accidental swinging movement of the cone during the raising thereof with the riser arch from the compartment I45, a latch I 62 is provided. The inner end of the latch normally engages a keeper opening in the balance weight I59, and a spring I63 is provided for urging the latch out of the keeper opening. To retain the latch in said keeper, a spring-pressed holding arm I64 is provided. This holder I64 is connected by a short rope, chain or the like I65, with the floor of the compartment. Consequently, when the riser arch is raised to a predetermined position, the holder I64 will be pulled out of the path of the spring-pressed latch, and said latch will then move away from the balance weight. By referring to Figures 9 and 10, it will be noted that the bottom of the float can be struck in to receive the upper end of the contact cone.

When the float is released, the riser arch I58 can be raised by the rotatable screws I 66 and I61. These screws are rotatably mounted in suitable top and bottom bearings, and the ends of the riser arch I58 carry nuts I68, which are mounted on the screws I66 and I61. The lower ends of the screws have fixed thereto beveled pinions I69 and I10, and these beveled pinions are operatively connected by a cross shaft I1I, the terminals of which carry beveled pinions I12 which mesh with the beveled pinions I69 and I10. The shaft I1I is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings I12 carried by the floor'of the compartment. The screw I 61 also has fastened thereto a second beveled pinion I13, and this pinion has meshing therewith a beveled pinion I14 fixed to an operating shaft I15. The operating shaft I15 is suitably mounted in supporting bearings, and this shaft extends through one wall of the compartment I45 into the body of the submarine. A hand wheel I16 is secured to the extended end of the shaft, and by turning the hand wheel, the screws I66 and I61 can be turned for raising the riser arch. The riser arch is adapted to be moved to a completely raised position into engagement with the inner face of the deck of the submarine, and spring-pressed latches I11 can be rockably mounted at their lower ends on pivot pins I18 carried by brackets I19 fastened to the sides of the compartment I45. These latches engage the ends of the riser arch I58 when the riser arch reaches its extreme raised position, and the latches prevent retrograde movement of the riser arch. Obviously, the spring-pressed latches I11 are forced inwardly by the ends of the arch during the raising of said arch, and when the arch rides past the latches, the said latches can swing under the arch.

A leader cable I80 is fastened to the center of the buoy I40 and extends through the axial center of the contact cone I51 and the arch I58, and this leader line I80 can lead to a windlass of the same type as shown in Figure 4. a l r Upon the release of the buoy I40, the contact colne I51 is'raised above the deck of the submarine, and upon the locating of the buoys by the salvaging ships, the buoys are removed from the leader lines, and the grapples are lowered thereon, as previously described.

The compartment I45 can be flooded same manner as the compartment 81.

In Figure 13, I have shown a buoy I8I, and this buoy can be of a streamlined type'and can extend partly within a watertight compartment. The buoy I8I,'intermediate its ends, isprovided in the with an outstanding marginal-flange I82, which is adapted to overlie the deck of a submarine, and a sealing gasket I83 'can' be interposed between the flange and the deck of the submarine. This buoy can be latched in place in the same manner as the buoy I40.

While I have shown the contact members in all of the views of the drawings as being of a conical shape, it is to be understood that the specific configuration of the contact members can be changed to suit varying conditions. For instance, I can construct the contact members of an elongated form to extend transversely across a vessel, and where the contact member is of an elongated form, the same is obviously of a wedge shape in cross section.

In actual practice, provision is made for lubrieating and preserving all of the operating parts, and a preserving grease or lubricant can be used for the cables, drums, etc.

In Figures 14, 15, and 16, I have illustrated one preferred form of winch or Windlass 12, which can be utilized on the salvaging ships 34 and 35 for hoisting the grappling mechanism. As illustrated, the winch or Windlass 12 can comprise a supporting bracket I85, which is firmly bolted to the ship. This bracket includes spaced upstanding bearing posts I86, which support the shaft I81 for the hoisting drum or spool I88. One end of the spool or drum I88 has formed thereon a brake drum I89, and a friction brake band I90 is provided therefor. One end of the brake band I90 is secured, as at I9 I, to one standard I 86, and the other end of the band is connected, by means'of a strap I92, to an operating hand lever I 93. The hand lever is latched in an adjusted position to a segment rack I 94 by means of a manually operable dog The opposite end of the spool has connected therewith a 'drive and clutch mechanism I96. This drive and clutch mechanism includes a worm wheel I91, which is rotatably mounted on an extended hub portion I98 formed on the spool I88. The worm wheel I96 is connected to the spool by means of inwardly directed'guide plates I99 carried by one end wall of the spool. The inner ends of the plates are received within an annular guide groove 200 formed in the periphery of the worm wheel, and these plates I99 can carry anti-friction rollers 20I for engaging the said worm wheel. Meshing with the worm wheel I91 is a worm 202; and this worm is keyed or otherwise secured to a power shaft 203, which can be operated from any suitablesource of power. The extended hub portion 5 I 98 of the spool and the inner periphery of theworr'n wheel I96 are provided with mating clutch notches 204, and clutch fingers 205 areadapted to ride into and out of said notches for connecting the worm wheel with the spool. These clutch fingers 205 are formed on one end of a sliding hub 206 mounted upon the Windlass shaft I81. This clutch hub 206 can beprovided with a rider 201 formed on the inner' end of a manipulating'lever 208. This manipulating lever is slidably. mounted in a guide track 209 formed on the upper end of the adjacent standard I86. A hand grip 2I0 is car ried by the manipulating lever 208, wherebythe lever can be slid back and forth in the guide track 209 for connecting or disconnecting the worm wheel with the spool of the Windlass.

Any desired means can' be provided for holdme the manipulating lever. 208 in a selected adjusted position, and, as shown, the lever isprovldedat spaced points with openings 2, and the latching pin 2 I 2 can be placed in the selected opening 2I I and into a holding socket 2I3 formed in said adjacent standard I86.

During the hoisting of the grappling mechanism I3, the clutch is manipulated so as to conmeet the worm wheel I96 with the spool I88 of the Windlass, and, consequently, the spool or drum I88 will be power-driven. This will permit the effective raising of a sunken vessel.

During the lowering of the grappling mechanism I3 the clutch can be manipulated so as to disconnect the worm wheel I96 from the spool, and, consequently, the spool or drum I88 is free to rotate under the weight of the grappling mechanism. The brake mechanism can be operated to prevent the too rapid rotation of said drum or spool I88.

- As shown in Figure 3, all of the contact cones are preferably provided with elongated shanks on their bases, so as to insure the engagement of the grapples therewith without the danger of the grapples engaging the sunken vessel.

It is to be understood that the lifting power of the apparatus can be increased according to the weight or size of the vessel being lifted. This can be easily accomplished by modifying the arrangement and number of the pulleys, pulley blocks, cables, etc. I

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally efficient mechanism and apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels.

' Changes in details may be made which do not depart from the spirit a-nd'scope of my claims, and what Iclaim as new is:

1. In an apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels, a drum and a buoy on the vessel, a leader guide line wound upon said drum and connected to the buoy, the buoy being adapted to float to the surface upon the sinking of the vessel and to pay out the line from said drum, means on a surface vessel including a windlass for pulling said leader guide line taut, a tension mechanism for maintaining the leader guide line taut, irrespective of the rise andfall of the surface vessel under influence of a sea, a grappling member slidable on said taut line for engaging the sunken vessel, and a hoisting equipment for raising said grappling mechanism, said means for maintaining the leader guide line taut including an elevated mast on the surface vessel arranged at one side of the Windlass, a sliding weight on the mast, spaced guide pulleys on the mast over which the leader guide line is trained, and an idle pulley on the weight engaging the leader guide line between the pulleys on the mast.

2. In a salvaging apparatus for sunken vessels, a pair of spaced surface ships, towers on said ships rising above the hulls thereof, a cross beam arranged between the hulls of the ships, means connecting the ends of the cross beam to the ships for swinging movement both on a vertical and horizontal .pivot, rotatable heads carried by the towers, an overhead cross beam pivotally connected at its ends to said heads, a grappling device, and a hoisting apparatus connected with said grappling device and said overhead beam, said hoisting mechanism including cables, and windlasses on said ships for winding up the cables.

3. In an apparatus for locating and raisin sunken vessels, a watertight compartment in said vessel, a releasable buoy closing said compartment, latch mechanism manually actuatable exteriorly of said compartment for releasing the buoy from the vessel, a drum in said compartment, a leader guide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, and means for automatically regulating the speed of rotation of the drum during the floating of the buoy to the surface from the sunken vessel.

4. In an apparatus for raising and locating sunken vessels, a vessel having a watertight compartment therein provided with an opening, a releasable buoy sealing said opening, latch means normally holding the buoy connected with the vessel, manual means arranged exteriorly of the compartment for operating said latch means to release the buoy, a drum in said compartment, a leaderguide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, a riser arch disposed in the compartment, a contact anchor member rockably connected to the riser arch and normally disposed in said compartment, said arch and contact anchor having a guideway there through for the cable, and means operable from the exterior of the compartment for raising said arch to move the contact anchor out of said compartment after the release of the buoy.

5. In an apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels, a vessel having a watertight compartment therein provided with an opening, a re leasable buoy sealing said opening, latch means normally holding the buoy connected with the vessel, manual means arranged exteriorly of the compartment for operating said latch means to release the buoy, a drum in said compartment, a leader guide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, a riser arch disposed in the compartment, a contact anchor member rockably connected to the riser arch and normally disposed in said compartment, said arch and contact anchor having a guideway therethrough for the cable, means operable from the exterior of the compartment for raising said arch to move the contact anchor out of said compartment after the release of the buoy, and means for normally preventing rocking movement of the contact anchor on the arch until the contact anchor is lifted out of the compartment.

6. In an apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels, a vessel having a watertight compartment therein provided with an opening, a releasable buoy sealing said opening, latch means normally holding the buoy connected with the vessel, manual means arranged exteriorly of .the compartment for operating said latch means to release the buoy, adrum in said compartment, a leader guide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, a riser arch disposed in the compartment, a contact anchor member rockably connected to the riser arch and normally disposed in said compartment, said arch and contact anchor having a guideway there through for the cable, means operable from the exterior of the compartment for raising said arch to move the contact anchor out of said compartment after the release of the buoy, means for normally preventing rocking movement of the contact anchor on the arch until, the contact anchor is lifted out of the compartment, and means for automatically engaging said arch to prevent downward movement thereof after said arch reaches an extreme raised position.

7 In a salvaging apparatus for sunken vessels, a pair of spaced surface ships,towers on said ships rising. above the hulls thereof, a cross beam arranged between the hulls of the ships, means connecting the ends of the cross beam to the ships for swinging movement both on a vertical and horizontal pivot, rotatable heads carried by the towers, an overhead cross beam pivotally connected at its ends to said heads, a grappling device, and a hoisting apparatus connected with said grappling device and said overhead beam, said hoisting mechanism including cables, and windlasses on said ships for winding up the cables, each of said windlasses including manually operable brake mechanism for regulating the speed thereof during the lowering of the grapple, means for rotating the windless including a gear member, and a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the gear with the Windlass.

8. In an apparatus for raising and locating sunken submarines, a submarine having a watertight compartment therein provided with an opening, a releasable buoy sealing said opening, latch means normally holding the buoy connected with the submarine, means for flooding the compartment from the interior of the submarine, means for venting the compartment from the interior of the submarine, manual means arranged exteriorly of the compartment and within the submarine for operating said latch means to release the buoy, a drum in said compartment, a leader guide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, a riser arch disposed in the compartment, a contact anchor member rockably connected to the riser arch and normally disposed in said compartment below the buoy, said arch and contact anchor having a guide way there through for the leader guide line, and means operable from the exterior of the compartment and within the submarine for raising said arch to move the contact anchor out of said compartment after the releasing of the buoy.

9. In an apparatus for locating and raising sunken vessels, a buoy and a drum on said sunken vessel, a leader line wound upon the drum and connected with the buoy, the buoy being adapted to rise to the surface from the sunken vessel, a

contact anchor member pivotally carried by the sunken vessel having a guideway extending there through for the leader line, means for holding the leader line taut from a surface vessel, a balance weight on the lower end of said contact anchor member for normally holding same in a vertical position, and a grappling mechanism slidably mounted on said leader line and adapted to be guided thereby over the contact anchor member for gripping engagement with said contact anchor member.

10. In an apparatus for raising and locating sunken vessels, a vessel having a watertight compartment therein provided with an opening, a releasable buoy sealing said opening, latch means normally holding the buoy connected with the vessel, manual means arranged exteriorly of the compartment for operating said latch means to release the buoy, a drum in said compartment, a leader guide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, a riser arch disposed in the compartment, a contact anchor member rockably connected to the riser arch and normally disposed in said compartment, said arch and contact member having a guideway there through for the cable, means operable from the exterior of the compartment for raising said arch to move the contact anchor out of the compartment after the release of the buoy, and a counterbalancing weight on the lower end of said contact anchor member for normally holding said anchor member in a vertical position.

11. In an apparatus for raising and locating sunken vessels, a vessel having a watertight compartment therein provided with an opening, a releasable buoy sealing said opening, latch means normally holding the buoy connected with the vessel, manual means arranged exteriorly of the compartment for operating said latch means to release the buoy, a drum in said compartment, a leader guide line connected to and wound upon said drum and secured to the buoy, a riser arch disposed in the compartment, a contact anchor member rockably connected to the riser arch and normally disposed in said compartment, said arch and contact member having a guideway there through for the cable, means operable from the exterior of the compartment for raising said arch to move the contact anchor out of the compartment after the release of the buoy, and a counterbalancing weight on the lower end of said contact anchor member for normally holding said anchor member in a vertical position, and releasable latch means normally holding the contact anchor member against swinging movement until the contact anchor has been moved out of said compartment.

WILLIAM K. KANNENBERG. 

